Kids can check in for some paw-sitive therapy

There are times when clich ufffds are generated out of lazy thinking. But there are other times when clich ufffds hit spot-on

Plus 2 more must-catch events

On Sunday, 11.30 am to 12.30 pm
Where Crossword Bookstore, Nirmal Lifestyle Mall, Mulund (W).
Call 25934627 / 25934643
There are times when cliches are generated out of lazy thinking. But there are other times when cliches hit spot-on. This weekend, if you hear something on the lines of 'a dog is a man's best friend', don't dismiss it. It might just hold true in your little one's case. Animal Angels Foundation is bringing its trained therapy dogs into a popular bookstore this weekend to help your kid read out his or her favourite story tale to the canine, as part of an event called Tails of Joy.



"Animal Assisted Therapy, as it's called, boosts reading skills in kids," informs Aakash Lonkar, director of the foundation. "Kids might be hesitant to read out loudly in public places or in front of others for the fear of being ridiculed. These dogs, however, do not criticise or judge, and so, kids find it easier to read aloud. This makes the kid feel confident and boosts his/her self-esteem."

The 'therapy' dogs that the foundation will be getting in are trained to sit quietly in a chaotic surrounding, and respond positively to kids as they read. After having taken a temperament test, the canine is taken through a series of obedience training sessions which includes desensitisation so that it doesn't bark or react violently if a kid pulls its tail or does something usually considered unfavourable. They are then ready to serve as a means to cheer up patients or counter grief and stress.

"There are kids who might be too scared of dogs. To alleviate that fear, we first introduce them to the dog and tell them how to approach and interact with it," says Lonkar. Another such fun session takes place next Sunday (May 15) at the Crossword store at Turner Road in Bandra.



Tagore turns 150. and you're invited to the birthday bash
On May 6 to 8
Where SP Jain Institute of Management and Research Auditorium, Bhavan's Campus, Dadabhai Road, Munshi Nagar, Andheri (W).
Call 32938017 / 65280107
Tickets Rs 100 per day
Rabindranath Tagore has given this country many things, apart from penning our national anthem. For one, he gave us some of the most memorable literary works. For another, he got for himself and for the rest of the country, the pride of being bestowed with a Nobel prize, the first to be ever given to a non-European. The Bengali bard would've turn 150 tomorrow, were he alive. But for fans of Gurudev, as his sobriquet goes, Tagore will come alive through a three-day festival organised by Bhavan's Cultural Centre. The fest will be inaugurated today at 5 pm with screening of documentaries on Tagore at 6 pm. This will be followed by the screening of a feature film, Uphaar, based on Tagore's life. Tomorrow at 4.30 pm, former director of Satyajit Ray Film Institute, Swapan Mullick, will give an illustrated lecture on Tagore, supported by slides and film clippings. This will be followed by Rabindrasangeet, where Tagore's musical creations based on Hindustani classical ragas will be performed. On the sarod will be Debanjan Bhattacharjee. Sunday will witness dance performances by Debojit Mukherjee, Avirup Sengupta and his students, at 6.30 pm.



Poolside retail therapy, anyone?
On Sunday, 10 am to 11.30 pm
Where Hotel Sea Princess, Juhu Tara Road, Juhu Beach.
Battery-operated candles, cameras, art works, bonsai plants, customised swimwear, clothes, accessories, home d ufffdcor, shoes... there's lots that you can choose from at the Princess Beach Fair. This all-day poolside shopping extravaganza is nicely packaged with brunch, if your purse strings are in the mood to be loosened up even further. You can also indulge in fish pedicure and foot reflexology, tarot reading, pendulum healing and calligraphy sessions. Will your cards predict a latent shopping freak that's waiting to be unleashed? Find out.

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